An Insightful Conversation About Leadership

A few weeks ago, I had a unique opportunity to conduct a leadership development program for 12 basketball coaches visiting from Bosnia as part of a basketball diplomacy program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and Georgetown’s Center for Intercultural Education and Development.

This is the first time any of the 12 coaches have been to the U.S, and they are here for two weeks. There are eight male and four female coaches, and their coaching expertise ranges from youth to high school/college to professional.

They each face similar challenges in Bosnia, very little funding and resources available to support them, even very few gymnasiums.

While here, they are spending time at a number of basketball camps that are the norm in the summer months in the U.S. so that they may gain ideas about our practices in helping kids love the game and develop their skills. They are also coaching some of our young people while here, and if I might add, doing it very successfully!

In planning my program, I decided not to go with a formal program, e.g., lead with a power point presentation of my ideas about leadership skills. Rather, I believe in the power of discussion and that the learning is deeper. So, I prepared nine open-ended questions for the coaches to discuss and we literally sat in a circle and shared ideas.

I had been told that the Bosnian coaches had specifically asked that they spend at least some time during their visit with non-basketball coaches, so I invited Katie Brophy, Georgetown’s women’s golf coach, to join the discussion.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with these wonderful people. They are athletes, of course, and have huge hearts. They are also humble people with ready welcoming smiles. They are coaching because they care deeply about their team members and want to help them better themselves by developing their skills, their teamwork and their self-esteem.

These coaches get paid very little. It’s a labor of love – literally!

And those on their teams are so fortunate to have these coaches in their lives. To illustrate, when we discussed what people want from their leader, their coach, they offered:

• Feel safe
• Feel trusted and supported
• Be honest with us
• Teach us, help us learn and grow
• Appreciate and respect each of us
• Commit to us individually and as a team
• Listen to our individual needs and ideas as a team.
• Be a role model
• Stay positive and encouraging
• Be open-minded and open to change

I was most taken by their emphasis on leading with their heart, with a love and care for those on their teams.

It was a gift for Katie and me to be with these amazing people who are dedicated, humble, and truly salt of the earth. Each is a superb leader!

Could we in business in the U.S. learn from these 12 Bosnian basketball coaches and adopt their principles and philosophies in managing and leading our workforces?

You bet!

That is exactly what we need a lot more of in this country, in our businesses, our government and our educational and nonprofit institutions – servant leadership!

A servant leader helps people develop and perform as highly as possible

It’s about appreciating, hearing and helping our people.